WHEN the Inland Revenue realised they'd overpaid single parent Michelle George, they quite reasonably wanted to reclaim their money.

But the manner in which they went about snatching back their tax-credit cash - by reducing her weekly payments from #70 to just #9 - was anything but reasonable.

She fought them tooth and nail though, and - in a lesson to all those badly treated by the Revenue - she won.

Like thousands of others, the 41-year-old was never told how her child tax credit was calculated. She just disclosed all the information required about her girls Danielle, 16 and Shannon, six.

So she was amazed to receive a demand for #1,150. "I couldn't afford to pay that back," said Michelle.

"I had notified the Revenue of any change of circumstances and naturally assumed my award was correct." But even as she appealed her payments were slashed.

"Being a single parent with two young girls I live within a very tight budget," Michelle explains.

"Things were made worse when they reduced my working tax credit as well to claw back the money quicker."

Getting no help from the tax authorities, she was spurred on to contact her MP by our campaign for tax-credit victims. After his intervention the Revenue admitted she'd had a poor service - but she still had to repay the overpayment in the same way.

But she carried on badgering the Revenue until eventually it was forced to climb down.

They then paid her #110 compensation for the shoddy service she'd received and have even said her tax credits would be restored. But as she's not had it in writing yet, so there's every possibility they'll mess things up again.

But her case still shows other victims that if they fight, they could win.

IF you're having problems, call the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 3003900. Your Tax Office has a leaflet called How To Appeal Against A Tax Credit Decision Or Award. Also try the Citizens Advice Bureau.